Done Quote by Jean-Paul Marat
“Nothing will make me change my principles. Even with the knife at my neck I shall still declare, up to this day, the poor have done everything; it is time for the rich to take their turn... The selfish people, the young idlers, must be made useful, whether they like it or not, and some respite be procured for the useful and respectable worker.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political pamphlet, 1793
The author argues that the poor have contributed everything, and now the rich must serve, urging forced productivity from the idle.
In simple terms: Rich must serve the poor; the idle must work.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for forced labor to benefit society.
Themes
politics
class conflict
revolution
economics
Mood
provocative
urgent
Type
political
revolutionary
When to use this quote
- government policy
- public speeches
- reform movements
- labor mandates
Key Concepts
social justice
authoritarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- Is forced labor ethical?
- What alternatives exist for addressing inequality?
A Different Perspective
Imposing labor may violate individual freedoms.
![“[We need] someone bold, to put himself at the head of the disaffected and rally them against the oppressor. Some great character who could captivate the people... someone wise who could direct the actions of an unbridled and floating multitude.” quote by Jean-Paul Marat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cf9/jean-paul-marat-33448_action_we-need-someone-bold-to-put-himself-at-t_1223177.jpg)
![“Five or six hundred [aristocratic] heads lopped off would have assured you repose and happiness; a false humanity has restrained your arm and suspended your blows; it will cost the lives of millions of your brothers.” quote by Jean-Paul Marat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e14/jean-paul-marat-33448_aristocratic_five-or-six-hundred-aristocratic-heads-l_1994265.jpg)
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
